Skin science article
ZO Skin Health Acne Treatment Pads Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant
ZO Skin Health Acne Treatment Pads Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant This acne treatment pad uses a pre-saturated pad with Salicylic Acid and Mandelic Acid to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.
ZO Skin Health Acne Treatment Pads Versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant
This acne treatment pad uses a pre-saturated pad with Salicylic Acid and Mandelic Acid to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.
This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Mandelic Acid and Lactic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Alcohol
Butylene Glycol
Salicylic Acid
Mandelic Acid
Urea
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Pterocarpus Soyauxii Wood Extract
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Hordeum Distichon Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract
Crithmum Maritimum Extract
Spiraea Ulmaria Extract
Menthyl Lactate
Sodium Hydroxide
Glycolic Acid
Sodium Carbonate
Sodium Chloride
Disodium EDTA
T-Butyl Alcohol
Denatonium Benzoate
Phenoxyethanol
Parfum
Citronellol
Hexyl Cinnamal
Limonene
Linalool
Water, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Urea, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Pterocarpus Soyauxii Wood Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Hordeum Distichon Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Menthyl Lactate, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, T-Butyl Alcohol, Denatonium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
2,3-Butanediol
Lactic Acid
Myrica Cerifera Fruit Extract
Akebia Quinata Stem Extract
Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Saccharomyces Lysate
Achillea Millefolium Extract
Saccharide Isomerate
Arginine
Hydroxyacetophenone
Sodium Phytate
Pentylene Glycol
Xanthan Gum
Citric Acid
Sodium Citrate
1,2-Hexanediol
Caprylyl Glycol
Sodium Benzoate
Water, 2,3-Butanediol, Mandelic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Myrica Cerifera Fruit Extract, Akebia Quinata Stem Extract, Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Lysate, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Arginine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate
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Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Mandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
Like other AHAs, it helps exfoliate the surface of the skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
Mandelic acid helps with:
Due to it having a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, mandelic acid is able to penetrate the skin more slowly and evenly. This makes it gentler and less irritating, making it a great option for sensitive or beginner skin.
Despite being milder, mandelic acid is still an effective exfoliant that improves skin texture and tone over time.
What makes mandelic acid stand out from other AHAs? It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
These traits make it a great option for acne-prone or problem skin by reducing active breakouts and fading post-acne marks. Studies show that mandelic acid (especially when combined with salicylic acid) can significantly reduce pimples and hyperpigmentation while causing fewer side effects than stronger acids.
Mandelic acid is effective in concentrations of 5% and up with an ideal pH range of 3-4 for at-home use.
Like other AHAs, it’s important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your newly exfoliated skin.
However, unlike glycolic acid, mandelic acid is light-sensitive. Be sure your mandelic acid is packaged in opaque containers to ensure it stays stable and effective.
In short, mandelic acid is a gentle yet powerful AHA that exfoliates, brightens, and helps clarify skin while keeping irritation low. Its antibacterial action makes it especially beneficial for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or uneven skin, offering smoother, clearer, and more even-toned results over time.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!